Universal draft pocket arrangement

ABSTRACT

A universal draft pocket arrangement is disclosed comprising an integral adapter for receiving cushioning units of different manufacturers and a backstop retainer plate so that the backstop need not be removed when installing cushioning units of the same manufacturer as the backstop. The adapter is preferably made integral to insure that dimensional tolerances are maintained during welding of the adapter to the center sill and when cushioning units are installed therein.

[4 1 May 14,1974

United States Patent [191 Girard 1,573,290 2/l926 Barrows........,.......................2l3/56 UNIVERSAL DRAFT POCKET ARRANGEMENT [75] Inventor: Robert R. Girard, St. Charles, Mo. Primary Emmmer Dl-ayton Hoffman Attorney, Agent, or FirmHenry W. Cummings Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated, New

York, N .Y.

[57] ABSTRACT A universal draft pocket arrangement is disclosed 22 Filed: Oct.4, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 294,936

comprising an integral adapter for receiving cushioning units of different manufacturers and a backstop retainer plate so that the backstop need not be re- [5!] 1m. CI 361g 7/10, 861g 9/12 moved when installing cushioning units of the same 58 Field of Search 213/54, 56, 57, s manufacturer as backswp- The adapter bly made integral to insure that dimensional tolerances are maintained during welding of the adapter to the center sill and when cushionin therein.

g units are installed 5 T. N m

n we my 0 D E n N U Q U l 693 295 ll/l928 Hannaford......................r..... 2l3/56 2,569,372 9/1951 Collison....................r........... 213/57 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures SHEET 2 BF 2 PATENIEB Im 14 I974 1 UNIVERSAL DRAFT POCKET ARRANGEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, the coupler cushioning assembly has been mounted in the center sill of railroad freight cars. Specitically, the cushioning unit has generally comprised a backstop member, often a casting, which has been welded to the inside of the center sill into which the cushioning unit fits in its operative position.

However, this construction suffers from the disadvantage that cushioning units manufactured by different companies could not be utilized in the cars because the backstop casting is contoured so that only the cushioning unit of the company who manufactured the backstop would fit therein. Furthermore, in the event of damage to the backstop, it had to be removed by cutting the same out because it is welded integral with the center sill.

It has been proposed to provide an adapter member which would receive the various backstop members of the cushioning units on the market so that it would be possible to remove a cushioning unit of one company and substitute therefore a cushioning unit of another company without the time and expense necessary to cut out the backstop member. It has been proposed that this adapter be made from two or more parts and welded to opposite sides of the center sill, each side of which would have a slot or groove therein for receiving the backstop of the cushioning units of various manufacturers.

However, this construction suffers from the disadvantage that it will be difficult to align the two adapter members to maintain the close tolerance necessary to install the cushioning unit. This is particularly ,true since each adapter member must be welded to the side of the center sill wherein stresses are introduced both into the center sill and into the adapter by reason of the welding heat and cooling cycle.

If it is desired to substitute one cushioning unit for one made by the same company, it has been proposed to do this by removing both the cushioning unit and the backstop. Since the backstop is a member weighing several hundred pounds, it would facilitate handling if the backstop could remain in the center still when changing cushioning units made by the same company.

It therefore is an object of the present invention to provide a cushioning unit adapter in which dimensional tolerances required in installation and/or operation of the cushioning unit can be readily maintained.

It is another object of the present invention to facilitate the installation and removal of the cushioning unit and/or backstop. I

It is another object of the present invention to provide a means for maintaining the backstop member in position in the center sill while removing the cushioning unit.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description and drawings wherein,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the cushioning unit-backstopcenter sill assembly;

FIG. 2 is a view along the lines 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view along the lines 33 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A conventional coupling unit is shown mounted within a center sill 20 having an expanding portion 22 to allow for movement of the coupler l0 laterally. Expanding portion or extension 22 may have mounted thereon a coupler carrier 24 upon which is mounted a coupler wear plate 26. If desired, a shim 25 may be utilized therebetween. A striker'28 also is provided and is affixed to extension 22 by appropriate fasteners. Draft lugs 29 also may be affixed to extension 22. Coupler 10 is affixed to a cushioning unit indicated generally at 40 by means ofa pin 12. Cushioning unit 40 is preferably of the hydraulic type, the construction of which is known in the art. Examples of such hydraulic cushioning units are found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 3,587,869; 3,556,311; 3,411,635; 3,412,870; 3,186,562; 3,561,611; 3,237,574; 3,651,953; 3,630;388; 3,568,856; 3,559,818, all or part of which cushioning unit may be used with the universal draft sill arrangement of the present invention.

Though less preferred, the universal draft sill mounting arrangement of the present invention could be used in conjunction with rubber pad cushioning.

Below the center sill, a bottom plate or cushioning unit support plate 50 is provided. This plate is bolted at 52 to lower flanges 202 on center sill 20. Center sill 20 further comprises web portions 204 and 206. Webs 204 and 206 are affixed to the car deck 210 by appropriate means such as welding, as indicated at 207. A spacer plate 220 is mounted between webs 204 and 206 of center sill 20 to hold center webs 204 and 206 in dimensional alignment.

In accordance with the present invention, an adapter member 60 is provided. Adapter 60 comprises web portions 62, 64 which contain openings 63 whereby the adapter is welded to the center sill as indicated at 65. Adapter 60 also has spaced apart flange portions 66 and 67 which contain openings respectively, 68 and 69 for insertion therein of the cushioning unit backstop.

A feature of the present invention is that adapter 60 is made integral. Thus, connecting means indicated generally at 70 is provided between the opposite sides of adapter 60. For example, an additional web or roof portion 71 may be provided. Roof portion 71 may be integral with side portions 62 and 64 either because the entire adapter is made of one piece, for example a casting, or roof portion may be affixed to the side portions by welding or heavy duty fasteners before the adapter is installed. The roof is preferably of increased thickness as indicated at 73 to facilitate engagement with the cushioning backstop. Further there is an opening 75 for the same purpose. Deck 210 has openings therein 74 to allow the deck to be welded to connecting means 70.

According to another alternative, a cross member indicated generally at may be provided in the rear portion of the adapter. Cross rrlember 80 may comprise a plate 82 welded to opposite sides of the adapter portions 62 and 64 or otherwise made integral therewith. Plate 82 may extend part way (as shown in FIG. 2), or all the way to the top of the center sill, as desired. Rear cross member 80 may be provided in addition to, or instead of cross member 70.

Cross members 70 and/or 80 are provided to avoid distortion which may occur in welding adapter 60 to center sill 22. For example, if the adapter is in separate parts and non-integral, it can fold horizontally outward from center sill 22 at the bottom or the top thereof. Also, one member may be shifted longitudinally from its corresponding member on the other side of the center sill. Another problem may be that one member may be canted or tilted about an axis running horizontally between the two plates. These problems are eliminated or substantially reduced by making the adapter integral as described above, preferably as a one piece member.

Backstop member 100 may take a variety of shapes depending upon the design of the particular cushioning unit. However, in general it will comprise a generally longitudinally running portion 102 having one or more ribs thereon 104 for holding in place a rear portion 42 of the cushioning unit 40. For example, the cushioning unit may have a flange portion 44 affixed to a shaft portion indicated at 46; A plurality of ribs 106 may be provided on the backstop for stability and heat dissipation purposes. The backstop will have a flange portion 108 adapted to engage the openings 68 and 69 in the adapter portion as shown in FIG. 1, to hold the backstop in place.

According to another feature of the present invention, a backstop retainer means 120 is provided along the bottom of the center sill to facilitate handling of the backstop. The backstop retainer means may comprise a plate 122 bolted to the center sill flanges 202 as indicated at 124.

The backstop retainer may be utilized in the following manner. if it is desired to replace a cushioning unit but it is not necessary to replace the backstop, for example, if the cushioning unit and the backstop are made by the same company, and only a new cushioning unit is to be inserted, bottom plate 50 may be removed and the cushioning unit 40 removed while retainer means 120 holds backstop 100 in place. This is particularly advantageous because the backstop generally weighs several hundred pounds and it is desirable to leave the backstop in the center sill so that the added handling is avoided.

On the other hand, if a different cushioning unit and a different backstop are to be utilized, retainer means 120 may be removed together with plate 50 and backstop 100 removed with cushioning unit 40.

In order to assemble the universal draft sill arrangement of the present invention, backstop 100 is first inserted through the opening at the bottom of the center sill and then backstop retainer means bolted or otherwise afirxed in place. This secures the backstop in its position within grooves 68 and 69 in the adapter 60. Next, cushioning 40 is put into position and plate 50 bolted onto center sill flanges 202.

What is claimed is:

l. A universal draft sill arrangement comprising:

a railroad car center sill generally channel-shaped in cross section defined by spaced apart web portions joined by a generally transversely extending lower member, said lower member having an opening therein which, together with said web portions define a center sill open portion spaced inwardly from a coupling end of said center sill;

an adapter welded to said center sill web portions and extending within at least part of said center sill open portion; said adapter having adapter openings located in said center sill open portion adapted to be engaged by a backstop;

a cushioning unit retainer and support means removably affixed to said lower member supporting a cushion unit at least partly in said center sill open portion;

and a backstop retainer and support means separate from said cushioning unit retainer and support means removably mounted upon said lower member and supporting a backstop mounted at least partly in said center sill open portion;

said backstop having a flange portion which engages the openings in said adapter to hold the backstop in place.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said adapter comprises at least one connecting member connecting the spaced apart portions of the adapter making the same an integral unit.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the connecting member comprises a roof portion.

4. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the con necting member comprises a plate mounted at the rear of the adapter.

5. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the connecting member comprises a single piece unit.

6. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the adapter contains openings therein where the same is welded to the center sill. 

1. A universal draft sill arrangement comprising: a railroad car center sill generally channel-shaped in cross section defined by spaced apart web portions joined by a generally transversely extending lower member, said lower member having an opening therein which, together with said web portions define a center sill open portion spaced inwardly from a coupling end of said center sill; an adapter welded to said center sill web portions and extending within at least part of said center sill open portion; said adapter having adapter openings located in said center sill open portion adapted to be engaged by a backstop; a cushioning unit retainer and support means removably affixed to said lower member supporting a cushion unit at least partly in said center sill open portion; and a backstop retainer and support means separate from said cushioning unit retainer and support means removably mounted upon said lower member and supporting a backstop mounted at least partly in said center sill open portion; said backstop having a flange portion which engages the openings in said adapter to hold the backstop in place.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said adapter comprises at least one connecting member connecting the spaced apart portions of the adapter making the same an integral unit.
 3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the connecting member comprises a roof portion.
 4. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the connecting member comprises a plate mounted at the rear of the adapter.
 5. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the connecting member comprises a single piece unit.
 6. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the adapter contains openings therein where the same is welded to the center sill. 